May 30, 2012

The Yuba County Sheriff's Department has recovered the body of an 18-year-old Lincoln man from the waters of Camp Far West Lake.

Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Damon Gil said a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew that had been called in to assist in the search spotted the body of Spencer Loper about 10:13 this morning in what is known as the overflow area near the lake's north shore.

Gil said Loper and friends arrived at the lake Saturday and spent the night in a campground. Friends reported seeing him about 2 a.m. Sunday, but when they awoke later that morning, he was gone. They initially thought he had left on his own, and Gil said the Sheriff's Department wasn't notified that he was missing until Tuesday.

Sheriff's officers searched the lake and shore near the camp site. Gil said they had tried to conduct an air search Tuesday, but aircraft were diverted to other calls.

The sheriff's boat patrol and investigators recovered the body after it was spotted by the helicopter crew.

Investigators are trying to determine how Loper ended up in the lake. Gil said an autopsy to determine the cause of death will be conducted Thursday.

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